Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Norwegian Emigration

1825 the first Norwegians left Stavanger for the United States. Some 900,000 Norwegians made their way to America in the last 200 years. There are actually more Americans who can proudly claim Norwegian heritage than there are Norwegians in Norway today. Vesterheim Museum celebrates the 200th anniversary of Norwegian immigration. 

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I proudly celebrate that about 100 years ago my grandparents, Paul and Dagmar joined those Norwegians who chose to begin a new life in the United States.

Norway's National Day - All About 17 May Syttende Mai

An important celebration in Norway perhaps not very well understood by Americans of Norwegian backround. Happy Syttende Mai!

WWII: VICTORY IN EUROPE: D-Day to V-E Day Celebrated Across the Globe, May 5, 1945

         

Victory in Europe Day meant the long march from Omaha Beach to Berlin was over.

My Dad, Melvin Kallman, would be coming home.

Thank you Dad, Uncle Arnold Sevald, Uncle Howard Johnson, Cousins Soderstrom, Jacobson, Kallman and all the others who served. Members of "The Greatest Generation".

Norway Cities: The 8 Must-Visit Cities in Norway

April 1865, Norwegian Family in the Civil War

April 1865 the U. S. Civil War ended. 

The Family farm Øvald had been worked by our family since 1650. By 1865 my third great grandmother Johanna Elisabeth and her husband Nils Jensen had inherited the familial right to farm on Øvald. Her younger sister, Karen, was not so lucky. She was widowed with three daughters. She remarried and she, her husband and three daughters were the first in our family to head for a chance of a new life in America. In America her daughter Hanna married another Norwegian immigrant named Charles Oleson. 

 November 27, 1861 Charles enlisted as a private in the 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry to fight with the Union in the Civil War. So far this cousin, 4 times removed, is the first I find, and perhaps the only in our family who fought in the Civil War.

Charles Oleson 1843-1907

The 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry initially recruited 1,127 officers and men. An additional 998 men were recruited as replacements for a total of 2,125 men.

The regiment suffered 24 enlisted men killed or died from wounds in action and 4 officers and 284 enlisted men who died of disease for a total of 312 fatalities.*

*Wikipedia 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment

Half a century now - My Mother is gone

It seems so long ago, yet like yesterday. My Mom died 50 years ago today.  I am now 25 years older than Mom was when she died. Unlike me, she never had the aches, pain and losses of old age. but never the joys of getting older either. She missed out on lots. But in my opinion the greatest joy? She never lived to know her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

My Mother
Grace Gunhild Sevald Kallman
b. March 4, 1927 Chicago, Illinois
d. April 21, 1975 Park Ridge, Illinois

    The greatest tragedy? They never knew her.